7th_Hole_At_Pebble_Beach.jpg
My name is Alex Berber and I am from Moraga, CA. I am a junior at CU, studying Political Science and International Affairs.

I Believe in Golf


I believe in golf because it is more than just a game. It is a sport where life lessons can be revealed. Golf has always been a big part of my life since I was five years old. I realized that golf was more than just a game at age thirteen while playing one of the nicest golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links.
I had never played a course as challenging as Pebble Beach. I had no idea what to expect. As I was warming up on the range before my round, I was hitting the ball very well and expected nothing but success for my upcoming round. This was exactly the reason for my failures to perform well during the beginning of my round. I couldn’t seem to get on track and since my expectations were at such a high level heading into the round, I let my attitude get the best of me.

However, when I reached the seventh hole my game completely turned around. The seventh hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links is unlike anything else. The tee box sits on top of a hill, looking out at a perfect view of the Pacific. It was a clear day which made the sight that much more memorable. You could hear the waves crashing up against the ocean banks. The noise of the ocean was so loud that you could hardly hear yourself talk. The surrounding wild life was just as noticeable: thousands and thousands of birds walking along the beach and flying out above the ocean. I remember looking over the side of the cliff that fell off the side of the tee box. Chills were running up my body as I anxiously looked down to the bottom. The site was so captivating that for a moment I forgot that I was on a golf course.
Experiencing this view gave me a whole new state of mind throughout the rest of the round. Suddenly, my mind was sharp and clear. My surroundings became more important than the way my golf game was performing as the next five holes present a captivating view of the Pacific. Despite this awakening, I found myself playing the type of golf that I had expected to play before the start of the round. I shot an 80.
Looking back, my successful eighteen hole score is not what I want to take back from this day, but rather the life lesson that it taught me. Striving to find the good aspects of any situation, no matter how bad they may be, can only lead you to steps that will better your situation. The revelations of the beauty of nature that golf brings revealed this life lesson to me. From that moment on, I have utilized this lesson as much as possible to overcome all of life's obstacles.